Lindsey Graham to meet with Garland on Wednesday

Merrick Garland will meet Wednesday with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of his Republican critics who, nonetheless, reversed his initial opposition to sitting down privately with the Supreme Court nominee.

Garland will also meet with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) on Tuesday, Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) on Wednesday and Democratic Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Tim Kaine of Virginia on Thursday. The latest slate of meetings were announced by White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

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Graham, who like nearly all other Senate Republicans is opposed to considering Garland’s nomination before November, has been one of more than a dozen GOP senators willing to meet with the nominee. That was a role reversal from Graham’s initial position when Garland’s selection was announced in mid-March.

Yet there is little indication that Garland’s meet-and-greets are going anywhere beyond headlines and Democratic talking points. Of the Republican senators who have met with Garland, none have reversed their position on proceeding with his nomination this year.

If statements from Graham’s spokesman are any indication, the South Carolina senator won’t be joining the two moderate GOP senators who have called for hearings this year.

“Sen. Graham remains opposed to moving forward with the Garland nomination,” Kevin Bishop said when Graham announced he would meet with Garland. “He continues to believe the next president should pick the next nominee for the Supreme Court.”